Your software is your baby. It’s a long time in the making, it’s a product of your hard work, and it’s a reflection of you — your business, that is. So, you want it to be as high-quality and clean as possible.
Unfortunately, bugs are an all-too-common occurrence in software of all types, from apps to systems to programs. They can mar not only your product but your reputation if you don’t address them early enough. That begs the question: why do bugs happen in the first place? Which obviously leads to another question: how can you prevent them from negatively impacting your image?
What Is a Bug?
A bug is a defect in software that causes the c level contact list program to function incorrectly or differently from what the creator intended. The term has appeared in relation to technology since at least the early 19th century when Thomas Edison described glitches in his innovations as bugs. But Grace Hopper was likely the first to apply it to a computer — when an actual bug, a trapped moth, caused problems in a computer program.
Why Do Bugs Occur in Software?
There are many root causes of bugs. Some of the most common ones are:
Miscommunication
Bugs can often result from the business and software development team’s failure to communicate effectively. If the business hasn’t clearly defined or articulated its requirements, the software developers will have trouble meeting them, and the final product could fail to function according to the vision of the business leaders.
In order to achieve the result they want, a business must thoroughly communicate its requirements to the development team at the beginning of the project. That way, the developers will understand what they want to achieve and will be able to build a complete product. Both parties should be in constant communication throughout the project, too, to ensure its ultimate success.
Inexperienced Developers
Working with developers who lack the experience and skill set necessary to complete your project can also result in a program riddled with bugs. That’s why it’s essential to employ a rigorous vetting process when hiring both in-house and outsourced teams. In addition to interviewing them to assess both their soft skills and technical skills — which may include a programming test — you should also look into their past work and clients.
Typically, this involves perusing past projects and testimonials from previous clients to ensure not only that they have general expertise in development but also that they’ve worked on projects similar to yours.
Inadequate Timelines
Everyone wants to be the first one to the following advertising formats are available market with their next great innovation. But the software development process takes time to get right. If you try to rush it, you risk introducing or failing to spot bugs, which can have serious consequences.
An experienced development team can help ensure that you complete your project as quickly as possible. But even the best professionals can’t do the impossible. A skilled team will also tell you if your project timeline is unrealistic and give you their best estimate as to how long it will actually take. You, the business leader, should listen to them and not force them to rush the project, which will likely result in a lower-quality product.
Constantly Changing Requirements
Things happen. Your requirements aren’t search engine optimization mails necessarily set in stone. But if at all possible, you should make every effort to define your requirements before the project officially starts and avoid changing them, at least at their core. When you change them frequently, you cause confusion for the developers and other stakeholders. One moving part can affect other pieces of the project, too, making the instance of bugs all the more possible.
If it’s absolutely necessary to alter requirements, the development team should explain to the business how it will affect the rest of the project. A business might not understand how what seems like a minor modification could impact the timeline and overall product.